Skip to Main Content

AGRICULTURAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST II

Frederick Animal Health Laboratory

Recruitment #23-000079-0001

Go Back View Benefits

Introduction


The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive Branch.  Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health , consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource conservation.  As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continue to expand and grow.

The MDA Animal Health Program prevents and controls infectious and contagious diseases in Maryland livestock and poultry with particular emphasis on those diseases that threaten public health, endanger food supplies or threaten the economic security of the animal industries. 

Join our Team and make a difference in preventing contagious and infectious disease in 
Maryland livestock.

***RECRUITMENT REPOST. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT REAPPLY.***

GRADE

0017

LOCATION OF POSITION

1840 Rosemont Ave. Frederick, MD 21702

Main Purpose of Job

As Agricultural Laboratory Scientist II, this position serves primarily to support animal agriculture and to assure consumer confidence by conducting veterinary diagnostic and analytic tests in the Frederick Animal Health Laboratory and performing various routine and highly specialized biological tests on body fluids and tissues of a variety of species of animals in support of the veterinary pathologist and practicing veterinarians in their diagnosis of animal diseases.

This position has the primary responsibility for technical and scientific work in the parasitology and serology sections as well as lab supply inventory & ordering. This position will also train to assists with Rabies/Scrapie brain removal, Rabies testing, media preparation, equipment, and packing & shipping. This position is also responsible for assisting the Pathologist in the Necropsy suite, including operation of the incinerator and record keeping. This position manages resources, operations, and programs, and represents the Agency. This position will be cross-trained in real-time PCR, bacteriology, CEM testing, CEM.media QC and maintenance, as well as other elements of diagnostic testing conducted in the Laboratory. This position is considered an essential employee for continuity of operations purposes. 

This position requires use of heavy machinery such as but not limited to table saws, chain saws, knives, conveyors, 1 ton hoists, and a large single batch load incinerator. Work with large and small livestock necropsies is labor intensive. This work occurs on a daily basis, with surges due to events such as weather, disease outbreak scenarios, or other livestock related events.

POSITION DUTIES

Serves as Parasitology & Serology Lead Scientist and has responsibility for conducting serology tests such as EIA ELISA/AGID and Johne's ELISA. Occasionally conducts specially requested associated tests as required, strictly following approved SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and achieving passing score on all relevant USDA NVSL proficiency tests.

Will train and have secondary responsibility for Rabies & Scrapies brain removal as well as fluorescent antibody Rabies testing. 

This position will train in real-time PCR (such as IAV, NDV, Johne's, and EHV-1)testing, as well as bacteriology, CEM testing, and CEM media QC and maintenance. This will include all documentation, interpretation, recording and reporting; occasionally conducts specially requested associated tests as required, strictly following approved SOPs and achieving passing score on all relevant USDA NVSL proficiency tests.

Conducts evaluation and reporting functions: enters test results into data management system, on worksheet, on official test records according to SOP (Standard Operating Procedures), interprets results, validates results, issues official laboratory reports to owners, veterinarians, state or federal officials as required by SOP (Standard Operating Procedures).

Supports and participates in the laboratory accreditation process, including initiating corrective and preventive actions when needed. Follows ISO/IEC 17025 requirements and Laboratory Quality Manual systems, including all required reporting and documentation in cooperation with Quality Assurance Officer, Laboratory Director and Quality Manager. 

Maintains inventory of supplies for those laboratory tests for which this position is primarily responsible, ensuring that in-date supplies are used efficiently, placing requests for purchase orders in a timely fashion. 

Maintains equipment in working order, requesting calibration or repair in a timely fashion. Assists the Pathologist with gross necropsy, conducts cleanup and disinfection of the necropsy suite after completion of necropsy, and stocks supplies used during necropsy. 

Will be assigned 24 hour on call status periodically and can involve periodic emergency duty any time, night or day.  Some weekend and  evening duty required (in the event of a disease outbreak or other assigned  Agency activity).  May involve occasional overnight travel in and out of state. This is a Continuity of Operations essential employee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Five years of experience, one year of experience performing laboratory analysis work in a biological, chemical, food, commercial, animal health, medical or public health laboratory and an additional four years of experience performing veterinary analytical, diagnostic, and epidemiological laboratory testing work.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree in the biological or chemical sciences from an accredited college or university including one course in general microbiology and one course in pathogenic, clinical or medical microbiology and one year of experience performing laboratory analysis work in a biological, chemical, food, commercial, animal health, medical or public health laboratory for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in the chemical or biological sciences from an accredited college or university for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military  service experience as a commissioned officer in natural resources management and biological science classification or natural resources management and biological science specialty codes in the animal science field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.  

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

1.Experience in the veterinary field such as experience working in an animal clinic, veterinary research or diagnostics laboratory, or on a farm.

2.Experience with diagnostic testing such as fecal analysis, fluorescent microscopy or other testing for pathogens.

3.Experience assisting with animal autopsies (necropsies) in a clinical, research or diagnostic laboratory setting.

4.Experience with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, G Suite, and laboratory software data entry systems.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Candidates for some positions may be given a medical examination to rule out color blindness.

2. Employees in this classification must be willing to undergo and maintain rabies immunization.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application.

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred, however paper applications will be accepted from candidates who may not have internet access.  All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions.  (Postmarks not accepted.)  

If you are submitting additional information, such as transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your application.  If you are unable to upload, you may mail, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).  Mailing Address: Maryland Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office, Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD  21401.

For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Kathleen Newhouse at 410-841-5837 or kathleen.newhouse2@maryland.gov TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.




Powered by JobAps